I have not attended an SSPX Mass since the mid 1980s, when I was stationed at Luke AFB in the diocese of the notorious Bishop O'Brien.
Having seen much liturgical abuse and sacriledge, then and since then, I question who are the real scismatics; groups such as the SSPX or the official "in communion with" dioceses who flaunt church teaching and make a joke out of the Mass and the Sacraments.
As far as your comment: "take up with some protestants in Fiddlebacks" is concerned, Rome has sent mixed messages on the issue of scismatic status. I guess I just don't see these folks as "protestants in Fiddlebacks" and I don't believe Rome does either.
Who are the real fighters for the faith? My gut feeling says for darn sure that it is not some cardinal who says "Mass" on a stage surrounded by dancing girls.
Rome hasn't sent any mixed messages about the schismatic status of SSPX. John Paul II excommunicated Lefebvre and the four bishops in 1988, after describing their defiant act of disobedience as a "schismatic act" (Ecclesia Dei, n. 3). The excommunication remains in force. If the SSPX were not in schism, there would be no talk of reconciling this group with Rome since they would already be in communion with the Church. Although there may be one or two cardinals in Rome who have made public statements questioning whether or not the SSPX is in "formal schism" those statements are merely opinions. They are not formal authoritative statements made by the Holy See.